CD Review: Radam Schwartz, "Saxophone Music"

 

Radam Schwartz is a well-known Jazz organist in today's Jazz world.  He has performed with many Jazz greats including Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Al Hibbler, David "Fathead" Newman, Russell Malone and Cecil Brooks III.  In his lastest CD, "Saxophone Quartet Music", Schwartz puts his spotlight on his composing and arranging.  Using a quartet of four saxophones, Schwartz has written and arranged nine original songs.  The words that come to mind when listening to Schwartz's compositions are beautiful, lush tones, new, fresh and swinging.  On his new CD, Schwartz utilizes three of his most skilled former students from the Jazz Institute of New Jersey,  Marcus G. Miller on Soprano Sax, Irwin Hall on Alto Sax and Anthony Ware on Tenor Sax.  The forth member of the quartet is Schwartz's long friend Max Schweiger on Baritone Sax.  

Radam Schwartz's was born and raised in New York City and played Saxophone and Keyboards in high school, and for a time settled on Piano. Early on he played with Altoist Charlie Mariano's fusion group, Tenor -Saxophonist Jimmy Ford, The New Jersey Contemporary Orchestra, and Al Hibbler. He has led ten albums of his own, appeared on over 40 as a sideman, and been very busy as an Organist, Educator and Arranger-Composer. 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of two of the songs from the CD.  The first is "Many Seasons Wise One".  The inspriation for this ballad tribute was to the unheralded giants of the Newark Jazz scene who early on inspired Schwartz.  The second tune, "Validation" utilizes the chord changes of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" and has a bebop feel to it.

PLAYLIST:

1. Let's Hear It For The Boy

2. Sway In Rincon

3. The Ancients

4. Hands/With These Hands

5. Validation

6. As Long As You're Remembered

7. Many Seasons Wise One

8. My Ship

PLAYERS:

Radam Schwartz: Compositions & Arranging

Marcus G Miller: Soprano Saxophone

Irwin Hall: Alto Saxophone

Anthony Ware: Tenor Saxophone

Max Schweiger: Baritone Saxophone

Misha Josephs: Guitar (Track 2)

Carrie Jackson: Vocals (Track 4)

Andrew Atkinson: Percussion (Track 6) 

                                                        "Many Seasons Wise One

                                                                   "Validation"

CD Review: A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band

I have followed the The Flying Horse Big Band and their super talented musical director Jeff Rupert for a long time and they never disappoint.  They have just released their 8th CD, "A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band" and it's a four-star winning "straight ahead" Jazz album.  The focus of this new CD is on the style of music performed by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messenger.`  All the songs on this CD were composed by Jazz Messenger members.  The Jazz Messengers group was formed in 1947 by Drummer Art Blakey and really shot into high public attention when Trumpeter Horace Silver joined the group in the mid-fifties.  Blakey and Silver were at the forefront of developing Bebop music while incorporating elements of rhythm and blues and soul music.  The Jazz Messenger members who composed songs on this CD reads like a list of Jazz giants out of a Jazz history book: Horace Silver, Benny Golson, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton and Hank Mobley.

Sadly, Jazz lovers don't get to hear this kind of big band music and arrangements much these days.  However, even someone new to Jazz would quickly recognize that the sound of this music and  arrangements are special.  I want to thank Jeff Rupert and the "The Flying Horse Big Band" for producing this amazing new CD.  You are helping the new generation to discover how good this kind of music is!

I also have to mention the high quality of professional players that perform this wonderful music on this CD.  The full group is listed below and each one of the players are at the top of their musical game and contribute to the superb music on this CD. 

PLAYLIST:

1. Free For All

2. Hipsippy Blues

3. Room 608

4. This Is For Albert

5. Mosaic

6. Peace

7. Gregory Is Here

8. Lester Left Town

9. Whisper Not

10. On the Ginza

PLAYERS:

Saxophones:

    Paul Van Wormer- Lead Alto (Solo Tracks 4,7,10)

    Micah Silverstein- 2nnd Alto (Solo Track 9)

    Edmund "Quint"- Johnson Lead Tenor (Solo tracks 1,3,5,6,8,9)

    Steven Grant- 2nd Tenor (Solo track 2)

    Noan Mosca- Baritone

Rhythm Section:

    Jack Hoag- Piano and Fender Rhodes

    Noah Charles- Guitar (Solo tracks 3,7,8)

    Michael Santos- Bass

    James Fortune-  Drum Set (tracks 1,2,5,8,9)

    Jamesly Jean-Mary- Drum set ( tracks 3,4,6,7,10) and Congas (track 2)

Trumpets & Flugelhorns:

    Josh Mercado- (Solo tracks 1,2,3,5,6,10)

    Adam Zapf-

    Robert Schmidt

    Phebe Rich

    Elijah Simmons

Trombones:

    Dan Parish (Solo tracks 4,6,7)

    Ralph Rodriguez

    Gabe Funk

    Ben Fuller- Bass Trombone

 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos from "A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band".  The first song is a Wayne Shorter composition that was arranged by former Jazz Messenger, Michael Mossman.  It's swinging and hot!  The second song was composed by Hank Mobley with a great arrangement by Harry Allen.  It doesn't matter if you are a Jazz Messenger fan or new to this kind of music, if you love Jazz you will love these songs and this CD!

                                                                   " Free For All"

                                                                        "Hipsippy Blues"

CD Review: Jacqui Naylor, "Treasures of the Heart"

Vocalist and Composer Jacqui Naylor has just released her 12th album, "Treasures Of The Heart".   For those of you who are not familiar with Jacqui Naylor's work you are in for a treat.  Jacqui's new CD, "Treasures of the Heart" is a sensational gift for all music lovers.  Jacqui Naylor's voice can be described as smokey and rich. She has her only style and while the listener may be reminded of other major Jazz vocalists, her voice is very special and her own. She includes a wide variety of new and old music and takes us for a musical ride with songs immersed in Jazz, R & B, Soul and Pop.  Jacqui along with her Pianist and husband, Art Khu composed 10 of the 14 songs on this CD.  Art Khu created all the exciting arrangements.   His piano work fits Jacqui's vocal style perfectly.   Her reimagined approach to the four well- known standards will surprised you both with her wonderful vocal stylizing and Art Chu's refreshing bright arrangements.   Jacqui has headlined some of the most important and famous festivals throughout the world including Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Vancouver Jazz Festival, London's Ronnie Scott's,  Berlin's Quasimodo, Lisbon's Jazz Palacio Baldaya, New York and Hamburg's Birdland and the Blue Note in New York, Milan and Tokyo.  Once you listen to "Treasures of the Heart" you will quickly understand why Jacqui Naylor is in high demand where ever Jazz is loved!  

The supporting band for this album are rock solid Jazz professionals.  Starting with her Pianist, Art Khu, who co-wrote the 10 original songs for the album.  His support behind and along side Jacqui is terrific.  Khu has worked with some of the biggest Jazz players like Donald Byrd, and Idina Menzel.  Richie Goods, who has toured and recorded with Jacqui and worked with Lenny While, Milt Jackson, Russell Malone, Vincent Herring, Chris Botti, Christiana Aguilera and Whitney Houston is outstanding on Bass. Drummer and Percussionist Ele Howell provides faultless and creative rhythms that add interest to every song.  Erik Jekabson plays Trumpet and Flugelhorn and completes this band.  Erik has performed with Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Brian Lynch and Tito Puente.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos that I know you will enjoy.  The first is Jacqui's reimagined version of the Rodgers and Hart evergreen "I didn't know What Time It Was" with an Afro-Cuban rhythm.  The second song is the title tune "Treasures of The Heart" written by Jacqui and Art Khu.  The lyric summarizes the album's theme "I found joy when only dark clouds came to call/ I felt springtime when the leaves began to fall/ in the sunshine and the rain/ in the joy inside the pain/ joy is a treasure of the heart".

PLAYLIST:

1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

2. Treasures Of The Heart

3. All That We Could Be

4. Happy Adventure

5. Walk Out In The Sun

6. Love's Around

7. True Colors

8. You're The One For Me

9. Love In Springtime

10. Lovely Day

11. Picture Book Of You

12. This Guy's In Love With You

13. Hold On

14. We'll Shine Through

PLAYERS:

Jacqui Naylor- Vocals, Composing

Art Khu- Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Celeste, Guitar, Composing, Arranging

Richie Goods- Basses

Ele Howell- Drums, Percussion

Erik Jekabson- Trumpet, Flugelhorn

                                                        "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"

                                                                "Treasures of the Heart"

CD Review: Adam Schroeder & Mark Masters, "CT" (A tribute to Clark Terry)

 The new CD just released from Baritone Saxophonist and Bandleader Adam Schroeder and Arranger Mark Masters is a tribute to master Trumpeter and Composer Clark Terry.  Schroeder conceived of the recording as a celebration of Terry's 100th birthday.  The plan was delayed by the pandemic, but Schroeder continued to be motivated to complete the CD.  "I wanted to celebrate what Clark gave to me and so many others around the globe for decades-musically, educationally, and as a mentor."  Mark Master has provided some powerful arrangements in a style that is becoming more and more infrequent.  Mark offers,    "So it's always a joy when great musicians come together to make music, and it only becomes music when they bring the music to life."  Mark has produced wonderful arrangements that would have made Clark Terry smile.  All of the songs on this CD were composed by Clark Terrry. The results of these classic arrangements, great songs and the wonderful Jazz players participating on this CD is perfection for any Jazz lover.

Bari Sax player, Adam Schroeder is a giant force in today's  global Jazz scene not only through performances but through his extensive educational efforts including serving as Associate Professor of Jazz & Commercial Music at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.  His solos and the mellow tones he produces out of his Baritone Sax are always sparkling good.  The Baritone Sax has always been one of the tougher Saxophones to play in my opinion.  Adam Schroeder makes playing the Baritone Sax seem easy; the mark of a true professional player!

Mark Masters is a master Arranger in the traditional of Classic American Jazz.  He is a champion of  American Jazz and devotes all of his energies to keep this type of Jazz music alive and current.  He has arranged music for recordings featuring Billy Harper, Jimmy Knepper, Andrew Cyrille, Oliver Lake, Mark Turner, Tim Hagans, Grachan Moncur III, Peter Erskine  and many others. 

PLAYLIST:

1. Serenade To A Bus Seat

2. Ground Hog

3. Ode To Pres

4. Daylite Express

5. Boardwalk

6. Argentia

7. Perdido Line

8. Slow Boat

9. Swingin' On The Cusp

10. Michelle

11. Top and Bottom

12. Boomerang

13. In Orbit

PLAYERS:

Sal Lozano- Alto Sax

Bob Sheppard- Tenor & Soprano Sax

Kirsten Edkins- Tenor Sax

Adam Schroeder- Baritone Sax

Francisco Torres- Lead Trombone

Ido Meshulam- Trombone

Lemar Guillary- Trombone

Dan Fornero- Lead Trumpet

James Ford- Trumpet

Aaron Janik-Trumpet

Edwin Livingston- Bass

Peter Erskine- Drums

All Arrangements by Mark Masters

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of songs from this CD.  The first is the Clark Terry tune, "Ground Hog" where Adam Schroeder gets to show his playing skills.  The second video is Terry's "Ode To Pres" with impressive solos from Kirsten Edkins, Bob Sheppard and Ido Meshulam.

                                                                     "Ground Hog"

                                                                        "Ode To Pres"

CD Review: Noah Haidu, "Standards"

 

Today's review is for a CD that was released a while ago.  I never got to listen to it until recently, and once I heard it I knew I had to get the word out.   The CD, "Standards" is by Pianist/Composer Noah Haidu who is joined by Bassists Buster Williams and Peter Washington, Drummer Lewis Nash and guest Sax player Steve Wilson.  The CD was inspired and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the remarkable Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette's first "Standards" album.  Noah Haidu says, "There's something so vulnerable about playing in this context, when you're completely exposed.  Of course, I love composing because you can create an entire world, your own language of sound.  But with these old standards all you've got is your own musicality and the connection you have with the music and the players.  That requires a willingness to let go and see where the song takes you, something that can't be taught or practiced." The theme of lost love is the emotional center of so many of the standards on this CD like "Skylark", "All The Way" and "I Thought About You".  Haidu says "There've been a few painful breakups in recent years and I lost my father with whom I was very close. That universal feeling of lost love comes into play on so many standards, especially the ballads."   It's wonderful that we have another highly-talented young Pianist willing to continue the Keith Jarrett tradition of spot-lightning a new look at standards for Jazz fans today!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos.  The first is a beautiful presentation of . "Skylark".  The second is the classic ballad, "Beautiful Friendship".  

                                                                       " Skylark"

                                                                "Beautiful Friendship"

PLAYERS:

Noah Haidu- Piano, Composing

Buster Williams-Bass (Tracks 1-4)

Lewis Nash- Drums

Peter Washington- Bass (Tracks 5-7, 9-11)

Steve Wilson- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. Old Folks

2. Just In Time

3. Beautiful Friendship

4. All The Way

5. Someday My Prince Will Come

6. You and the Night and the Music

7. Ana Maria

8. Skylark

9. I Thought About You

10. Last Dance I

11. Last Dance II 

CD Review: Rob Dixon/Steve Allee Quintet, "Standards Deluxe"

 

Sax Player and composer Rob Dixon has joined together with Pianist and Arranger Steve Allee to create their newly published CD, "Standards Deluxe" that features Vocalist Amanda King and Trumpet player Derrick Gardner.  These two high power mid-west musicians have formed the Bob Dixon/Steve Allee Quintet that performs beautiful straight ahead Jazz which they infuse into some classic standards and some great new songs composed by Rob Dixon.  The CD is a perfect mix of old and new songs played by wonderfully talented musicians.

Rob Dixon and Steve Allee both have great resumes and have perfomed with the elite of Jazz master musicians over the years.  They have learned their composing, arranging and performing lessons well and with the release of this fine Jazz recording, we all can share the listening results of their efforts.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is the standard "Sway" featuring Vocalist Amanda King and arranged by Bob Dixon.  The second tune is a Rob Dixon original compostion, "Flat Tire Blues".  This CD will be a delight for Jazz fans!  

                                                                        "Stay"

                                                                    "Flat Tire Blues"

PLAYERS:

Rob Dixon-Tenor and Soprano Sax, Composing, Arranging

Steve Allee- Piano, Arranging

Amanda King- Vocals

Derrick Gardner- Trumpet

Nick Tucker- Bass

Greg Artry- Drums

Kenny Phelps- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. Caravan

2. Love For Sale

3. The Very Thought Of You

4. Sway

5. Our Love Is Here To Stay

6. On Green Dolphin Street

7. One Hundred

8. Lucky Number

9. Mind Mirror

10. If We Must Die

11. Flat Tire Blues

12. Caravan

CD Review: Mark Winkler: "Rules Don't Apply"

 

If you don't know much about Mark Winkler and you love great Jazz singing, you really need to get to know him.  Mark has been performing in the Los Angeles Jazz scene for years and he has released over 20 albums.  "The Rules Don't Apply" is his 21st album and it will not disappoint you.  In addition to singing, Mark is an accomplished Lyricist whose songs have been recorded or performed by a "Who's Who" of well-known singers including Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Steve Tyrell, Claire Martin, Jackie Ryan, Randy Crawford, Cheryl Bentyne, Kenny Rankin, Jane Monheit, Ben Vereen and Liza Minnelli among others.  

For his newest CD, "The Rules Don't Apply",  Winkler wrote lyrics for eight of the original songs and then added five of his favorite tunes written by Paul Simon, Lennon and McCartney, Eddie Arkin, Randy Newman and Donald Fagen.  He also brought 16 top Musicians who play on his CD in various combinations.  Mark Winkler is a song stylist who loves to bring his own personal feelings to new and old songs that give lyrics a new life for his listeners.  It is so wonderful that a talented vocalist like Mark Winkler can still fill a room every time he has a live performance.  Winkler's appeal to live audiences is his authenticity.  He has stayed the course with his music and he has a strong fan base that proves that he has taken the right direction in his long career.  Mark feels that many older Jazz artists are not getting the attention they deserve and wanted to represent that on this album.  Mark offers "I'm a 74-year old Jewish gay man, and I really feel my creative powers have not diminished in the slightest.  When I listen to the radio or see Spotify playlists, the younger artists are rightly getting the attention they deserve, but I don't think that attention should be at the expense of older artists who are still doing great work".  Wise words indeed Mark Winkler and I agree totally with them.  It's one of the main reasons I started publishing this blog 12 years ago.  I wanted to create a balanced spotlight on brilliant musicians both young and old.  There should always be room for both in the current music environment. 

Mark Winkler is one of only a few "Hip" musicians currently writing and performing today.  Yes, he could fit very comfortably into a picture of a smoky Jazz club in the 1950s, and yet, he still fits perfectly into today's contemporary Jazz scene.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of two songs on this new CD.  The first is the Lennon and McCartney gem "Got To Get You Into My Life" , one of Mark's favorite tunes.  The second is a New Orleans-inspired song by Randy Newman.  As a fellow singer/songwriter, Winker feels a connection to Randy Newman and this arrangement features Errol Thoden on Tuba.

 

                                                        "Got To Get You Into My Life"

                                                                "Mama Told Me Not To Come"

PLAYERS:

Mark Winkler- Vocals, Arranging, lyrics

Piano: John Beasley, Rich Eames, Greg Gordon Smith, Jamieson Trotter

Bass: Gabe Davis, Dan Lutz

Drums/Percussion: Clayton Cameron, Dan Schnelle, Kevin Winrad

Guitar: George Doering, Grant Geissman

Reeds: Katisse Buckingham, Danny Janklow, Bob Sheppard, Scott Mayo

Brass: Errol Rhoden, Brian Swartz, Scott Whitfield

PLAYLIST:

1. Sunday In LA

2. I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)

3. The Joy Of Singing

4. In Love In New York

5. Got To Get You Into My Life

6. The Rules Don't Apply

7. Something So Right

8. Just Around The Corner

9. If These Walls Could Talk

10. Jazz Swings

11. Mama Told Me Not To Come

12. Lessons I've Learned

13. Here's To Jazz